Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance November eNews
Maine Math and Science Alliance

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2006

Welcome!

This is the first issue of the MMSA electronic newsletter. It will be distributed periodically highlighting various programs, events and issues.

The "Missing Link" in Implementing State and National Standards and Findings from Research on Student Learning

Teachers from Maine and around the country are using Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) to improve their content knowledge, design curriculum sequences and improve instructional practices. The CTS process, tools, and materials engage educators in a systematic and scholarly method of using national and state standards and research on student learning to study curricular topics. CTS builds a bridge between state and national standards, and research on students' ideas for improved teacher practice. CTS is funded by the National Science Foundation. MORE....

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Reaching Early Mathematics Learners
Before it is Too Late

Early Mathematical Thinking (EMT) is a primary mathematics program designed to support the numeracy development of at-risk learners in the classroom by using a diagnostic tool to identify childrenŐs strengths and weaknesses in numeracy, identifying instructional strategies to effectively enhance numeracy understanding, and increasing mathematics achievement for students in the participating classrooms. EMT is adapted from an Australian and New Zealand program that resulted in student achievement increases and enhancements of teacher practice and teacher knowledge. EMT is funded by the Maine Department of Education. MORE...

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Links for some additional MMSA projects, events and information:

Research to Practice: Connecting K-8 Science, Inquiry, and Literacy. There is a strong connection between science and literacy and language literacy is essential for effective inquiry-based science learning.

High School Lab Science - A Statewide Symposium. Laboratory experiences have been taken for granted in high school science curricula and courses, but they have rarely been carefully examined (NRC, 2006).

Building Administrator Leadership and Numeracy Capacity for Educators (BALANCE) This statewide partnership was formed to build the capacity of administrators and mathematics content leaders, at both local and regional levels, to establish and support a vision of teaching and learning that builds numeracy PK-16.

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Did You Know?

Amount of Time Spent on Selected Content Areas in Grades K-5 in Maine Schools

Source: The Condition of K -12 Public Education in Maine - 2006. The Maine Education Policy Research Institute
Note: The percents are averages for the grades K-5. For Science and Technology, and Social Studies the percent of time spent in grades K-2 is slightly lower and slightly higher in grades 4-5. In English Languages Arts the time slightly decreases in grades 4-5. The other content areas are relatively the same across all the grades.


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Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance
PO Box 5359 - 219 Capitol Street Suite 3 - Augusta, ME 04332
Voice: 207.287.5881 - Fax: 207.287.5885 - www.mmsa.org

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